Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of EssaysWallace, Alfred Russel
Science
Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of Essays
Wallace, Alfred Russel
Natural selection
former island, has lost the tail, which is a prominent feature of the
closely allied P. Machaon.
Facts of a similar nature to those now brought forward would no doubt be
found to occur in other groups of insects, were local faunas carefully
studied in relation to those of the surrounding countries; and they
seem to indicate that climate and other physical causes have, in some
cases, a very powerful effect in modifying specific form and colour, and
thus directly aid in producing the endless variety of nature.
_Mimicry._
Having fully discussed this subject in the preceding essay, I have only
to adduce such illustrations of it, as are furnished by the Eastern
Papilionidae, and to show their bearing upon the phenomena of variation
already mentioned. As in America, so in the Old World, species of
Danaidae are the objects which the other families most often imitate. But
besides these, some genera of Morphidae and one section of the genus
Papilio are also less frequently copied. Many species of Papilio mimic
other species of these three groups so closely that they are
undistinguishable when on the wing; and in every case the pairs which
resemble each other inhabit the same locality.
The following list exhibits the most important and best marked cases of
mimicry which occur among the Papilionidae of the Malayan region and
India:--
Mimickers. Species mimicked. Common habitat.
DANAIDAE.
1. Papilio paradoxa Euploea Midamus } Sumatra, &c.
(male & female) (male & female) }
2. P. Caunus E. Rhadamanthus Borneo and
Sumatra.
3. P. Thule Danais sobrina New Guinea.
4. P. Macareus D. Aglaia Malacca, Java
5. Papilio Agestor Danais Tytia Northern India.
6. P. Idaeoides Hestia Leuconoe Philippines.
7. P. Delessertii Ideopsis daos Penang.
MORPHIDAE.
8. P. Pandion Drusilla bioculata New Guinea
(female)
PAPILIO (POLYDORUS- and COON-groups).
9. P. Pammon (Romulus, Papilio Hector India.
female)
10. P. Theseus, var. P. Antiphus Sumatra, Borneo.
(female)
11. P. Theseus, var. P. Diphilus Sumatra, Java.
(female)
12. P. Memnon, var. P. Coon Sumatra.
(Achates, female)
13. P. Androgeus, var. P. Doubledayi Northern India.
(Achates, female)
14. P. Oenomaus P. Liris Timor.
(female)
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